Germany’s Grundgesetz (Basic Law) guarantees fundamental human rights, especially in the first 19 articles. If you want to naturalize as a German (Einbürgerung), you are expected to know German Basic Law also known as Grundgesetz. Here are the five most important human rights with their German versions:
1. Human Dignity (Menschenwürde) – Article 1
German:
“Die Würde des Menschen ist unantastbar. Sie zu achten und zu schützen ist Verpflichtung aller staatlichen Gewalt.”
English:
“Human dignity shall be inviolable. To respect and protect it shall be the duty of all state authority.”
This is the foundation of all other rights.
2. Equality Before the Law (Gleichheit vor dem Gesetz) – Article 3
German:
“Alle Menschen sind vor dem Gesetz gleich.”
English:
“All people are equal before the law.” No discrimination based on sex, race, language, origin, or religion.
3. Freedom of Expression (Meinungsfreiheit) – Article 5
German:
“Jeder hat das Recht, seine Meinung in Wort, Schrift und Bild frei zu äußern und zu verbreiten.”
English:
“Everyone shall have the right freely to express and disseminate his opinion in speech, writing, and pictures.” Also includes freedom of the press, but hate speech and Nazi propaganda are illegal.
4. Freedom of Religion (Religionsfreiheit) – Article 4
German:
“Die Freiheit des Glaubens, des Gewissens und die Freiheit des religiösen und weltanschaulichen Bekenntnisses sind unverletzlich.”
English:
“Freedom of faith and of conscience, and freedom of creed, religious or ideological, shall be inviolable.” The state must remain neutral in religious matters.
5. Right to Life and Physical Integrity (Recht auf Leben und körperliche Unversehrtheit) – Article 2(2)
German:
“Jeder hat das Recht auf Leben und körperliche Unversehrtheit. Die Freiheit der Person ist unverletzlich.”
English:
“Every person shall have the right to life and physical integrity. The freedom of the person shall be inviolable.” This guarantees personal safety and prohibits torture or the death penalty in Germany.